Miss Julianne Gatewick is in a pickle. It started when her brother's best friend-for whom she's long nursed a secret tendre-agreed to act as her guardian for the Season, only to seduce her with a risqué waltz. But when the music stopped and the expectant ton waited for Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, to claim her as his own, he made his disinterest clear. Rather than succumb to humiliation, Julianne does what any self-respecting, recently discarded young miss with a wicked sense of humor would do. She secretly pens a lady's guide to enticing unrepentant rakes . . . and it becomes the hottest scandal sheet in London.
Every honorable rake knows that friends' sisters are forbidden. But suddenly Julienne has a spark of mischief in her eyes that Hawk can't resist. Try as he might to push her away, he spends his days listening for her laughter and his nights dreaming of kissing her senseless. He's always avoided innocents and their marriage-minded mothers, but has the man least likely to wed finally met his match?
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Having read the first book in this series, How to Marry a Duke, I went into this story already totally in love with the two main characters. Both Julianne and Hawk are featured in the first book and I do recommend reading it as it is also a good read. That being said, I sat down to read this book with great expectations for a tension filled journey to a love that was very obviously meant to be. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. Not that the story was not good nor the characters intriguing but the excitement that I hoped to feel was not there despite the well-paced plot.
Lady Julianne Gatewick has been in love with Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield since the night of her come-out ball. If she is honest with herself, she has been in love with him since she was a child. Unfortunately, Hawk only views her like a little, troublesome sister… or so they both think. With her brother, and Hawk’s best friend, Tristan unable to take Julianne to London for her season, Hawk is prevailed upon to act as Julianne’s guardian for the season. Along with the help of his unconventional Aunt Hester, Hawk must keep Julianne out of trouble and scandal free. But the rake of all rakes can’t seem to keep his hands off his desirable ward. Add a scandalous pamphlet about seducing rakes into marriage, a bevy of boys licking at her heels, and a notorious rogue who won’t leave her alone, Julianne must battle her true feelings for Hawk and accept that he might not love her in return. Or perhaps something in his past is holding him back from truly loving her and making a life with the woman of his dreams.
This plot leaves much for the reader to pick through as the author takes you on a witty trip though the ballrooms and drawing rooms of London. With two people trying to fight their attraction to each other, you would think that there would be a ton of anticipation and tension building up between them but sadly this book not written in a way that got my heart racing. The story is good with lots of little twists and turns to keep me interested in Julianne and Hawks tale but I wanted more from them then the author gave me. I found that I cared when they finally got together but not as much as I wanted to. What I did like about Vicky’s writing is the way she builds the relationship between the two lead characters and the fun, easy going parts of their friendship that match the frustrating tension that they can’t get away from. I enjoyed the few surprises that the author throws at her readers even if I somewhat guessed the main mystery before it was revealed.
I think the best part of How to Seduce a Scoundrel is by far the characters. If you like strong heroes who show their dominant side, you will absolutely love Hawk. He also has a fun, playful side that will completely suck you in. Julianne is one of those heroines who didn’t annoy me in the least and who doesn’t do too many silly girl things that make you want to throw your book. She is level-headed and sincere which I really like about her. The myriad of other secondary characters add so much colour and life to the book that the reader will be happy to know that several other characters will get their own story in books to come.
Overall, this book was a good read, with a happy and satisfying ending especially if you like more light hearted books. The love scenes are short but sweet and despite the more racy language they are gentle and add to the book greatly.
~ Danielle |
